January 24 is celebrated as the National Girl Child Day in our country. But it is the harsh reality! How all of we will make are hand together to transfer our daughter’s dream to reality.

From April to May many parts of India experiences thunderstorm.  There are many name for it, Kalbaishakhi, Bordoichila,etc. In Assam we call it ‘Bordoichila’ in our Assamese language, which is derived from the word ‘Bordoichiklha’ (the dancer who performed the dance Bagrumba, where butterfly movements are mimicked. It is a dance of Bodo community living in Assam). When the thunder storm   comes people use to say “Bordoichila coming to her mother’s place’.  Local people believe that thunder storm of this season is an indicator, how it will rain in summer; if it is prominent, there will be good rain or vies-versa”. This time 'Bordoichila'has not visited us yet.

*‘Randak’* is a Tripuri word. Tripuri is tribal community, inhabited in Tripura state of India. Randak are considered as the god of protection and growth. Randak is symbolically represented through Stone. Usually earthen pots are filled with rice and stones are put over there and place it over a bamboo platform in their houses and offer prayer. It is considered that *Randak* will protect the family.
Similar believes and practices of *Randak* (including its symbolic representation through stones)  are also their among the Jamatia and Reang tribe of Tripura.

In the memories of Alashree Basumotary, who was expired on March 15, 2020. She was an inhabitant of fringe village of Manas National Park and world natural heritage site ( inKokilabari area of Baksa, Assam,India).
Up to 2015, their daily life and livelihood was depending on NTFP collection from the park. It was mid part of 2016 Alashree lead five other fellow village women started their plan for alternative livelihood. In course of time Alashree mobilize and motivate more women and form Purnima Women SHG. Alashree lead the SHG as president. They started their venture of Chalk pencil production. In the process of pursuing their passion, they started new venture of dyeing of cotton thread using different natural sources including uses of leaves of different invasive plant. These ventures bring more secured livelihood to these 12 women. Their colour threads were used for apparel making, dress material production in handloom. Now all the SHG members are committed to continue the venture keep alive Alashree’s dream venture.
Purnima SHG was supported by Aaranyak( an NGO based at Guwahati, Assam,India ) under Manas Tiger Conservation Programme (MTCP).
I was personally involved with many of their planning and strategy making discussion, in-fact in a village level meeting where I was a participant ( as an associate of MTCP team )  Alashree and the fellow women for the  first time  share their idea of SHG formation and group venture. It is difficult to forget her thoughtful argument and desire to work together to change their own life and make bring delightedness to others.
Last we mate on January 21, 2020    (in a programme on “One Month Certificate Course on Value Addition & Marketing of Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs) by ENVIS Secretariat, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Govt of India in Manas in association with  ENVIS Cell of ASTE council and Green Environment Task Force (GETF)),   where in a technical session  conducted by me, Alashree and one of their SHG member give demonstration on utilization leaves and flower of non-cultivated floral sources for natural dyeing. After the session Alashree jokingly told me you make us teacher too.
May her soul rest in peace!

Dedicated to the women of the villages located in the Kohora River Basin
of Karbi Anglong, Assam India.
Based on experience gathered from the interaction with the group of women of these villages.

Pondering with pandemic under incursions   of Covid19

Dedicated to Ms Kabe Rongpipi of Chandra Sing Rongpi Village located in Kohora River Basin area of Karbi-Anglong ,Assam.
Getting married at the age of 22 years she pursuing Jhum (slash and burn cultivation) in hills. When first child was born she realizes practicing jhum with small child is difficult, so she search for alternative. She started her alternative venture as Vegetable vendor (she was the first women on this trade in the area) gradually started trading of wild edibles and other NTFP. Now she also practices fruit gardening, food processing along with earlier practices. In our last discussion in January, 2020, she shared ‘she love introduce as business women’.